Plugs and wires

Question 1

What is the role of the live wire?

Answer 1

• Brown coloured wire which provides alternating potential difference from the mains supply

Question 2

What is the role of the neutral wire?

Answer 2

• Blue coloured wire which carries away the current from the live wire
• Completes the circuit

Question 3

What is the role of the earth wire?

Answer 3

• Striped green and yellow wire where if the live wire comes loose and touches the casing, the earth wire provides an alternate pathway for the current to flow to prevent the casing becoming live
• Doesn’t normally carry any current

Question 4

Why does electricity pass from one wire to the other?

Answer 4

• Difference in voltage between live wire and earth / neutral wire
• Humans are also 0V so would get electrocuted if we touch the live wire